Officials: Obama, Boehner Exchange Proposals

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2012, file photo, President Barack Obama acknowledges House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio while speaking to reporters in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, as he hosted a meeting of the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress to discuss the deficit and economy. Admnistration officials say President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner met Sunda, Dec. 9, 2012, at the White House to discuss the ongoing negotiations over the impeding "fiscal cliff." Spokesmen for both Obama and Boehner said the two men agreed to not release details of the conversation, but emphasized that the lines of communication remain open. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- At least publicly, there's no hint of progress in efforts to avoid the "fiscal cliff" -- with Republicans demanding that the White House outline specific spending cuts, and the White House saying it's already done so. But the rhetoric from the two sides has been relatively restrained, as if to avoid jeopardizing any negotiations that might be taking place. And in fact, officials have disclosed that President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) have exchanged at least partial proposals in the past two days, although details are scarce. Boehner said publicly today that the White House was slow-walking the negotiations, bringing the economy closer to feeling the impact of the automatic spending cuts and tax increases that would kick in next month. Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi challenged Boehner to allow a vote on Obama's proposal to extend most expiring tax cuts while letting those cuts expire at higher income levels.

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